Leeds

Birmingham

Clerked by:

Louise Barnes
Paul Clarke

Employment

Helen has a broad based employment practice, encompassing litigation concerning TUPE, unfair dismissal, redundancy, commercial injunctions and the enforceability of restricted covenants. Her extensive employment law experience means that she approaches commercial matters with a pragmatic, client based attitude. Helen is regularly instructed in cases with listing of 10 days or more, including a recent 25 day hearing listing.

Significant Reported Cases:

JG v TUI [2014]: Helen successfully represented the Respondents in this case, resisting over 120 allegations of discrimination on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, and disability.

Equality Act law

Helen is well-versed and experienced in both fighting and defending Equality Act cases, with particular expertise in fighting for sexual orientation equality. She is currently being led by Sean Jones QC in a test case, concerning the applicability of schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010, in respect of a hospital chaplain. The case has attracted extensive media attention in both the broadsheets and the legal press and is the first of its kind to be tried.

Significant Reported Cases

P v I [2015] An ongoing case concerning a hospital chaplain sanctioned for his same-sex marriage, and subsequently being denied employment as a result. Helen is the employment junior on the case, in which she is led by Sean Jones QC. First instance judgment is expected at the end of the year.

"Her strengths lie in her ability to analyse and process information quickly and deliver an opinion in a concise, clear, practical way."

Chambers UK

Profile

Having begun her career at a common law set of Chambers, Helen has built a strong civil practice with a particular emphasis on employment and personal injury. In 2010, Helen was appointed to the Attorney General's panel of approved Counsel, and appears for a variety of Government departments throughout the country. She is also counsel of choice for corporate clients in a varied range of disciplines, which include aviation, education, the leisure industry and a number of local authorities.

Helen is a tenacious and committed advocate, who is frequently instructed in multiday matters lasting for 5 days or more. Alongside a daily practice in the Employment Tribunal and County Court, Helen regularly appears in the High Court and the Employment Appeal Tribunal. She was praised in the most recent edition of Chambers and Partners for being “extremely good - client-focused, robust, personable, knows her stuff really well, and delivers great results.”

Recommendations

"She is extremely thorough and quickly gets to the heart of the issues in a case."

Legal 500 2018

‘A combative cross-examiner, who is excellent with clients.’

Legal 500 2017

‘An impressive advocate with expertise in Equality Act cases.’

Chambers UK 2017

"Her strengths lie in her ability to analyse and process information quickly and deliver an opinion in a concise, clear, practical way."

Chambers UK 2016

"Her strengths lie in her ability to analyse and process information quickly and to deliver an opinion in a concise, clear and practical way."

"Clients warm to her and know that she will represent them as robustly as possible."

Chambers UK 2015

"She has a strong presence in tribunals and a good bedside manner with clients." "She is extremely good - client-focused, robust, personable, knows her stuff really well, and delivers great results."

“We have found the service and advice from Helen to be of the highest quality on a variety of cases ranging from routine to catastrophic personal injury claims...” Neil Thompson, Quality Solicitors Smith Roddam.

“Over the years, Helen has worked with me on a number of diverse cases. She is a consummate professional. She has an enquiring and investigative mind, and her strengths lie in her ability to analyse and process information quickly and to deliver an opinion in a concise, clear and practical way.” Susanna Gilmartin, Thompson, Snell and Passmore.

“I have been impressed by Helen’s quick grasp of issues and thoroughness of preparation, when reviewing cases prior to hearing. She is good at putting clients at their ease, and giving them the confidence that someone has grasped the detail of a complex matter.” Jonathan Mansfield, Thomas Mansfield.

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